Vehicle Fuel Utilisation Tracking Using Tank Pressure and Activation Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack accurate methods to determine fuel utilisation across various components, leading to inefficiencies and increased CO2 emissions.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that acquires fuel depletion and activation data to calculate fuel utilisation of multiple systems using pressure changes in the fuel tank and linear equations, allowing identification of high consumers and potential errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fuel consumption is monitored using multiple sensors (flowmeters) for each system, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single pressure sensor system. Instead of using separate flowmeters for each fuel line, the invention uses one pressure sensor to measure pressure changes in the fuel tank, which are then used to calculate fuel consumption for multiple systems through mathematical relationships and activation data.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it measures fuel level, calculates fuel consumption, and enables determination of fuel utilisation across different systems. The system processes activation data from multiple fuel utilisers and combines it with pressure data to universally determine fuel consumption patterns without requiring system-specific sensors.
2Productivity
If fuel utilisation of multiple systems is determined simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to simultaneous operation interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from activation data to resolve simultaneous operation interference. By continuously monitoring which fuel utilisers are active and using this information in calculations, the system can accurately attribute fuel consumption to specific systems even when they operate simultaneously, maintaining precision while enabling parallel determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fuel consumption measurement problem by considering each fuel utiliser's activation state separately. The processing circuitry divides the total fuel consumption calculation into individual system contributions based on activation data, allowing simultaneous determination of multiple systems' fuel utilisation without interference.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately tracks fuel efficiency and emissions, identifies high consumers, and enables maintenance to improve vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
The processing circuitry is configured to acquire the fuel depletion data by determining a pressure change in the fuel tank over the period
Data Source
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Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A computer system comprising processing circuitry configured to acquire fuel depletion data for a fuel tank of the vehicle for a period, acquire activation data corresponding to the period for a plurality of fuel utilisers comprising an engine that consumes fuel from the fuel tank and an auxiliary system that is driven by the engine, and determine a fuel utilisation of at least two of the plurality of fuel utilisers during the period based on the fuel depletion data and the activation data for the plurality of fuel utilisers.